The UFG Slush Pile Chronicles: The Reprint

When I wrote up the submission guidelines for this anthology, I specifically forbade reprints.

I didn’t want any this time.  This was a tough decision to make.  If it’s been printed before, it’s frequently a really good story and might add something really nice to my anthology.  However, I’ve found it a little uncomfortable to read reviews where the reviewer points out that they’ve read the stories before.

Guilty secret:  I solicited a reprint from a writer.

But, you know, one reprint is like one scoop of icecream.  It can’t hurt anyone, can it?  Besides, it’s been out of print so long that anyone who recognizes it might be glad to see it again.

The real reason, though, was this:  when I haven’t read this story for a while, I forget why I wanted it so much.  Every time I read this story, I remember.  Then I need to get a dry pair of panties.

Do you think that’s a good reason?  I figure it makes all the pre-processing work much more fun.